1972 Saab Sonett Tires

A 1972 Saab Sonett uses either 155R15 radial tires or 560-15 bias-ply tires. Both are 15-inch fitments, but they represent two different construction types and two different approaches to the car's stance, appearance, and driving character.

The right choice depends on how the car is set up now and what the owner wants from it. A Sonett kept in a restoration-oriented, period-style configuration may stay with 560-15 bias-ply tires, while a car using radial fitment may use 155R15. Checking the existing wheel width and confirming clearance before changing construction helps avoid surprises.

The 1972 Saab Sonett uses a 15-inch rim diameter with both of its primary tire sizes. That applies whether the car is fitted with the 155R15 radial size or the 560-15 bias-ply size.

Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, so it is worth confirming wheel width as well before selecting a tire. Radial and bias-ply options can have different rim-width needs, and some 155R15 products call for a narrow wheel range. A quick wheel check is especially helpful if the car has changed hands or has aftermarket wheels.

560-15 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. The 5.60 designation refers to nominal section width in inches, and the 15 indicates that the tire is built for a 15-inch wheel.

On a 1972 Saab Sonett, that size points to a traditional bias-ply fitment rather than a modern metric radial format. It is also the size where sidewall appearance becomes a major choice, since blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions are available. Anyone moving away from 560-15 should compare wheel width and tire dimensions before treating a radial equivalent as an automatic substitute.

560-15 is a bias-ply tire size on the 1972 Saab Sonett. It uses the older numeric sizing format and is offered here in bias-ply construction, with blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall variations.

That matters because bias-ply and radial tires differ in both appearance and operating character. A buyer choosing 560-15 is usually leaning toward a more traditional presentation, while someone wanting a radial alternative will need to look at equivalent sizes rather than assuming the same code exists in both constructions. Wheel width and clearance should still be confirmed before any change.

Radial equivalents for 560-15 include 155R15 and 560R15. The 155R15 option is an equivalent 80-series metric radial, while 560R15 is a bias-look radial equivalent that keeps a more traditional visual format.

Those choices give a Sonett owner two different radial paths: a conventional Euro-metric radial or a radial that preserves a more vintage look. The recommended rim-width range attached to these equivalents is 4 to 5 inches. Even with the same 15-inch rim diameter, overall fit should still be checked at the wheel, fender, and steering clearance points.

The main checks are wheel diameter, wheel width, and the actual radial size being considered. For a Sonett moving from 560-15 bias-ply, the radial-equivalent paths are 155R15 or 560R15, and the wheel should suit the intended tire's width requirements.

A construction change can also alter the car's visual character, so the decision is partly mechanical and partly aesthetic. The next step is to inspect steering clearance, fender clearance, suspension condition, and the tires already on the car. Any Sonett with aftermarket wheels or previous suspension changes deserves an especially careful fitment check before the swap.

Start with the correct primary size and construction: 155R15 radial or 560-15 bias-ply. From there, the real comparison is between a traditional bias-ply presentation and a narrow classic radial format that better matches a later-era road tire look.

After size and construction, compare rim-width suitability, brand, tire series, sidewall treatment, and the way the car will be used. A restoration-oriented Sonett may point toward bias-ply styling, while a regularly driven car may lean toward a radial setup. Tire selection should also reflect the wheels currently on the car rather than relying on appearance alone.

Sidewall choice depends on the tire size selected. In 155R15 radial fitment, the available choices are blackwall tires, while 560-15 bias-ply fitment opens up blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles.

That makes sidewall styling an important part of the buying decision, especially on a small sports coupe where tire appearance is easy to notice. Whitewall widths can change the overall look significantly, even when the tire size stays the same. Buyers chasing a subtler period-style presentation often compare blackwall and narrow whitewall first before moving to wider whitewall options.

Brands available for the 1972 Saab Sonett include Firestone, Michelin, Avon, Vredestein, US Royal, Coker Classic, and Pro-Trac. Those brands cover both 155R15 radial options and 560-15 bias-ply options across several different tire series.

Brand comparison is most useful after the correct size and construction have been settled. At that point, the meaningful differences are often sidewall style, intended character of the tire series, and wheel-width compatibility rather than the brand name alone. A Sonett owner should narrow the field by fitment and appearance first, then compare the remaining product specifications.

A period-style 1972 Saab Sonett usually starts with deciding whether the car should present as a bias-ply or radial-equipped example. The 560-15 bias-ply size delivers the most traditional look, while 155R15 keeps a narrow classic radial profile that still suits the Sonett's era.

Appearance is only part of the decision, since construction also influences how the car feels on the road. Sidewall treatment matters too, especially within the 560-15 choices. If exact originality is the goal, checking marque-specific references and restoration documentation is worthwhile before settling on a brand or whitewall style simply because it is available.

Tire construction changes more than road feel on a restored 1972 Saab Sonett. A 560-15 bias-ply tire gives the car a more traditional visual character, while a 155R15 radial introduces a later-style metric radial appearance with blackwall-only choices in the available assortment.

That difference becomes noticeable in the overall presentation of the car, especially from the side profile. Bias-ply fitment also brings access to narrow and wide whitewall styles that can shift the Sonett's personality in very different directions. A restoration-minded buyer should think about stance, sidewall look, and wheel compatibility together rather than treating construction as a hidden detail.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1972 Saab Sonett even when the tire size itself is correct. Changes to wheel width, wheel offset, ride height, suspension components, or body clearance can all influence how a 155R15 or 560-15 tire sits and turns.

That is why a modified Sonett should be checked at full steering lock and through normal suspension travel before a final tire decision is made. A car with aftermarket wheels deserves extra attention because a 15-inch rim diameter alone does not guarantee the same fit as a stock wheel. The safest approach is to verify the actual wheel and body relationship on the car.

Before driving a 1972 Saab Sonett on new tires, inspect wheel condition, valve stems, inflation pressure, lug hardware, and the general condition of the suspension and steering components. It is also wise to confirm that the tires clear the fenders and steering system without rubbing.

A collector car often sits longer than a daily driver, so the inspection should include brake condition and any signs of uneven ride height that could affect clearance. After the first miles, recheck pressure and look for contact marks on the tire or wheelhouse. A careful early inspection helps catch setup issues before they become wear problems.

Tires on a collector 1972 Saab Sonett should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and clean storage habits. Sidewalls should be watched for cracking, cuts, bulges, or weathering, and tread should be checked even if the car has covered very few miles.

Low annual mileage can hide age-related deterioration, so time and storage conditions matter as much as tread depth. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve both bias-ply and radial tires. It also pays to inspect the spare and to rotate attention among all four road tires rather than only the driven axle.